ARVADA — Rolo will not be put to death, an Arvada judge ruled this afternoon.

But the dog’s owner will face sanctions.

On Tuesday, a jury declared the 5-year-old dog dangerous after a day of testimony about the time last year when Rolo got out and either bit, nipped or maybe just scratched a neighbor. His owner, Laura Hagan, was found guilty of allowing Rolo to run loose and of having a dangerous animal.

The neighbor, Kathy Hardin, testified Tuesday that she was bitten twice on the buttocks on July 1 as she shielded her 14-month-old toddler from Rolo and another dog.

The judge this afternoon gave Hagan a 90-day suspended jail sentence. He ordered her to have her fence inspected and to obtain $100,000 in liability insurance. She must maintain Rolo’s dog-training sessions, and if she moves, her new home must be inspected to ensure it meets the fence conditions.

She must have no violations of Arvada’s animal-control ordinance, or she will face “serious consequences,” the judge said.

Earlier this afternoon, in closing arguments, defense attorney Joe Lazzara told the court that Hagan has agreed to accept responsibility and has apologized.

“Rolo is not a clear and present danger to the community,” he said, adding that at least 20 options other than putting Rolo down are available to the court.

“She would like him to come home,” he said.

Prosecutor Roberto Ramirez likened the legal proceedings to a game of chicken, with Rolo and Hagan in one car, and children in the other.

“If something isn’t done, disaster is going to happen,” he told the court.

He said biting Hardin was strike four for Rolo, referring to two previous complaints that the dog was loose and a problem with barking that prompted Hagan to have Rolo’s vocal chords altered.

“Where will the blood of the next victim lie?” Ramirez asked.

The defense put dog trainer Ted Terroux on stand this afternoon. He runs Canine College in Lakewood and has been working with Rolo. Terroux testified that if Hagan follows his instructions, he can guarantee that Rolo will never bite anyone again.

He said he has found no aggressive tendencies in Rolo.

Hagan also took the stand.

“I want to say I’m really sorry to the community and the neighborhood and Kathy Hardin and any ill fate that she suffered,” Hagan told the court. “I’ll do anything the court wants me to do.”

Prosecutors presented 11 witnesses this morning. They were neighbors of Hagan who painted a picture of being concerned about their safety with Rolo around, although they differed on what his fate should be.

Dave Wright, a father of four, testified, “I don’t like the idea that a dog that has bitten somebody is out there. No, I don’t want that dog in my neighborhood.”

He added that he didn’t want Rolo destroyed.

Paul Wedlake told the court that he has seen the dog charging the fence. “I always had a fear of him,” he said. “I felt that dog meant business.”

Sharon England said her family feared going into the alley because of Rolo. She had signed a petition calling for the dog to be destroyed and took it around to neighbors.

The prosecution also called Hardin, who testified: “I am genuinely terrified for the safety of people in the community.”

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